Deshaun Watson announced the death of his father on Friday, just two days before the Cleveland Browns' season opener against the Dallas Cowboys.
The 28-year-old star quarterback shared the news on Instagram, writing, “Rest in peace daddy,” alongside a broken heart and praying hands emojis against a black background.
There were no immediate details released about the cause of Watson's father, Don Richardson's, death or whether it will affect Watson's participation in Sunday's game.
The former Houston Texans player was reportedly estranged from his father, who abandoned the family when he was a child.
During his time with the Texans, Watson Houston Chronicle 2017 He remembers seeing his father only a few times while growing up, saying, “My mother was basically my mother and my father.”
“My friends had fathers,” Watson said, “but for me it was like, 'Hey, my mom is the one I rely on and the one I always focus on.'”
Instead of using Richardson as his last name, the star quarterback opted to take his mother's last name.
The quarterback built a resume that included three Pro Bowl appearances during his time with Houston before being traded to the Browns in 2022.
That same year, Watson was suspended for 11 games after being accused of sexual misconduct by more than 20 women.
The quarterback is coming off a big season this year after leading Cleveland to a 5-1 start, but he is coming off season-ending surgery on his throwing shoulder in 2023.
